Ministries| Children | Youth | Music | Adult and Family | Outreach | Cub Scouts
We love children at First United Methodist Church Gainesville! We
recognize that children teach us as much as we teach children. We
try in everything we do with children, to help them feel God’s love
and grace. We do not think of children as Christians “in waiting”,
but rather see them as Christians ready to share the love of Christ
with anyone! FUMC Gainesville provides Christian education
opportunities for the whole family. You will find numerous
opportunities throughout the year for education, fellowship and
worship.
Ongoing Ministries:
Children on Wednesday (C.O.W.)
This midweek fellowship group brings children from local schools,
daycare and outlying schools on our buses. They enjoy Bible stories,
crafts, games, music, and mission activities. Divided in to age
groups, C.O.W. includes ages 3 through 6th grade and meets during
the school year from 3:30 p.m.—5:30 p.m.
Acolytes
Another experience in learning is the training of boys and girls,
grades 3-6, serving the church as Acolytes. Taking the light of
Christ into the worship experience at our 10:45 a.m. service and
then out into the world
at the end of the service, becomes a vital lesson of worship. These
young people are trained and directed on Sunday mornings by
Kim Bell and Jane Dobson.
Confirmation
Confirmation for 6th—8th grade students is led each year in the
spring by our pastor, Don Yeager. He teaches the children what it
means to become a disciple of Christ and join a church fellowship.
These lessons occur on Wednesday afternoons during April and May.
The children are then offered membership and/or baptism if they
choose.
Summer Camp For Kids
Summer camping activities are offered to boys and girls in grades
3-6. Partially sponsored by friends at FUMC, the conference camp at
Lake Bridgeport prepares children and youth for God’s call upon
their lives. (And of course, it’s great fun.) Dates for each summer
are planned in the winter, so watch for announcements to plan your
child’s week of camp.
Vacation
Bible School
For children ages 3 through 5th grade, VBS captures the hearts of
our children and adults and those of our community who join us each
summer in June. Costumed storytellers, puppets, great music, science
experiments, fun snacks, creative crafts, games, and mission
activities send our children out each day singing and telling their
experiences of God’s love.
Kids
Day Out
July of each summer is devoted to trips, just for fun, for children
age 5 through grade 6. Children under age 5 must have a personal
escort. We travel many miles to provide experiences as a church
group. Friends are welcome, as are parents, each Wednesday of the
month.
Music
Camp in July
A
new addition to our summer schedule includes one week of music camp.
Led by Patty Dees, we learn and perform a children’s musical in one
week. We try to add a special event during the week that pertains to
the theme. It’s a lot of work and learning and fun!